PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY >> DIVESTMENT
We believe in leading by example and are guided by a moral standard of social justice.
The City of Berkeley was one of the first American cities to divest from apartheid South Africa in the 1980s. Nearly four decades later, Mayor Arreguin is committed to keeping Berkeley a beacon of political action in a time of national darkness.
Wells Fargo
Besides reports of fraudulent practices, Wells Fargo has financed the corporate takeover of the prison system as well as the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which continues to threaten the water supply of various Native American tribes.
The Mayor co-sponsored the resolution to end Berkeley’s business with Wells Fargo, and called on his Responsible Banking Task Force to develop criteria for socially and environmentally responsible banking.
Mayor Arreguin plans to hold banks bidding for a city contract to a high standard, and to keep our taxpayer dollars from funding unethical practices.
Proposed Border Wall
The proposal to build a wall across our border with Mexico would cost Americans billions. The fear of difference it represents goes against everything Berkeley values as a sanctuary city and a haven for human rights and diversity. In March of 2017, Council voted to divest from any companies involved in the border wall’s construction, making Berkeley the first city to condemn the wall.
Read the Washington Post article recognizing Berkeley’s divestment from Trump’s Wall.
The Mayor signs into law our City's divestment from companies involved in Trump's border wall.
This is just the first step: Mayor Arreguin will continue to work to prevent policies of discrimination and isolationism from harming immigrant and Latino communities.